Powerful yet tormented modern warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the silver-eyed Cade Mairston into the world of witchfinders, Withinners, and what can happen when two men fall truly, madly, deeply in love.
THE WORLD IN SHADOW
In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.
In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.
~ Bewitching BT

Q&A

1. If you were to describe your e-book/book in only one word, what would it be?
Magyckal

3. What was the source of inspiration for your protagonist? What about your antagonist?
Believe it or not, Daniel Craig was the inspiration for the character of Quinn Fairmont. I wanted Quinn to be ruthless, sexy, blond and powerful and these qualities to me were all encompassed in Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond. So he was a natural for this one. My antagonist – there are a couple in this book, being the Witchfinder General of Essex , Matthew Hopkins, in the body of a fifteen year old boy and a rather nasty Warlock called Andrew de Vere. The Witchfinder was simply inspired by the stories that abound him in my home country of Essex and I find him a fascinating person. De Vere – he was just a soulless, power hungry and evil narcissist , not really modeled on any one in particular.

4. Have you ever been hit by the infamous “writer’s block”? What did you do to escape it?
I can honestly say I’ve not yet had this problem. I use the word ‘yet’. So far I’ve been fortunate in being able to write without barriers, to create my stories without much soul searching or angst or biting of fingernails. I’ve been very lucky.

5. Your all time favorite book?
My best book ever is one (surprisingly out of my chosen genre of M/M romance) written by a man who instills horror at every turn. It’s called ‘The Stand’ and it’s by the infamous Stephen King, one of my favourite writers.

6. What made you pick that one above all others?
I love it because it’s the story of a band of people coming together to defeat a common enemy, with imagination, skill and some truly believable characters. It’s the one book I read over and over again, still finding something fresh in its telling and enjoying it just as much as I did the first time.

7. What’s the longest time you’ve spent working on a project?
I’d say about eight weeks. I tend to be so focused that I finish books one after the other. I started writing my first book in February 2012, finished a trilogy in less than seven weeks and then started writing another one. It’s now April 2014 and I’ve written ten full length books, of which seven have been published, as well as three novellas, two already published, a screenplay, and started an ‘auto biographical’ factional novel for a man in the US. So I tend to keep myself busy…

8. Would you say becoming an author has changed you? In what way?
Yes it has. I’ve become a little selfish to family and friends – my time is spent writing and doing what I need to do to promote myself and my books. I’ve become a lot more savvy in the world of publishing and what makes books and readers tick. I’ve become a bit of a guru on the social networking side to the extent that I’ve even started my own business assisting other authors. It’s called The Ravencrest Agency www.theravencrestagency.com. I’ve made new friends I’d never have dreamed of meeting before, attended conferences and forums where I have the opportunity to chat to incredible people, been on the radio and in the newspapers. So my life is very different to what it was before.

9. Was there ever a time, during your work for the e-book/book, when you felt like giving up? What made you change your mind?
Yes this thought probably crosses my mind at least three times a week. But I have an incredible publisher who eggs me on, listens to me when I rant about the hard work I put in for what to me are not the results I want (I have very high self expectations ) and this article, called ‘Staying Power’ by Chris Keeslar from Boroughs just puts things in perspective for me. I read this when I feel despondent, when my books aren’t doing as well as I thought, when I get a bad review.
http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/about/enews/march-2014-e-newsletter

10. What does your day-to-day life consist of? What else do you do, aside writing?
I used to have a full time job in the Financial Services industry. My profession is that of compliance and regulatory affairs. However I was made redundant over seven months ago and I’m struggling to find a new full time position. So my days are spent writing, getting ahead of my publishing schedule and keeping my social networks going. It’s been a bit of a tough time but I find I just have to take things one day at a time, like a lot of other people out there in the same position and hope something comes up soon.

11. How do you deal with bad reviews or acid criticism? What would you advise other authors to that effect?
When I first started I was heartbroken at getting a bad review. I took it personally. Now, I love the good reviews and ignore the bad, non-constructive ones for the most part. There are some bad reviews out there which do give some valuable advice from a reader’s perspective. I try and look at these objectively and see if I can find something in the words to help make me a better writer. I’d advise any writer to do the same. Take what you can out of the review but don’t agonise over it.

12. Is this title part of a series? Without giving us spoilers, of course, what can we expect from the next e-books/books in the series?
This is the first in a two book series. The second will be out hopefully in mid-May. That one is called Double Alchemy – Climax. In book 2, we’ll find out more about Quinn’s past and the death of his parents. He’ll have to face enemies from within his circle and external forces that threaten Cade. Quinn will be forced to make a heart rending decision, one that drives him a little crazy and makes him wonder exactly where his loyalties lie.

Cade will find out more about himself and his powers. He’ll realise just how much he means to Quinn and have his own demons to face. He’ll be there to support Quinn as his lover tries to defeat an ancient enemy. And between them, they’ll have an intensely personal decision to make for their future.

Fun facts:

1. If you could wish for any one thing, and it would immediately come true, what would you wish for?
A date with British actor Benedict Cumberbatch or someone to approach me and make a film of one of my books. Preferably the one which could star Benedict Cumberbatch.

2. If you were stranded on an isolated island, what’s the one book you’d absolutely wish to have with you?
The Sherlock Holmes series would keep me busy and entertained.

Giveaway

About the Author & Links:

Sue Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. At the age of eight, her family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa where she stayed for nearly thirty years before arriving back in the UK in December 2000. She has written ten novels, two novellas and a screenplay since February 2012 and clearly believes in keeping herself busy. She has found herself wanting to stay in the genre that is M/M Romance so more can definitely be expected.

Sue is a member of Romance Writers of America and Romantic Novelists Association in the UK. She is also a member of a rather unique writing group, called the Talliston Writer’s Circle, which in itself has a story all of its own to tell and lives in the rural village of Bocking, in Essex, with her family. Her plan is to keep writing as long as her muse sits upon her shoulder. Her dream is to one day make enough money to give up the day job and get that big old house in the English countryside overlooking a river, where she can write all day and continue to indulge her passion for telling stories.

So glad I made it to your wishlist Jessica.. And my very first book ‘Cassandra by Starlight’ was written for him lol. The character of Bennett Saville, London actor extraordinaire, was modelled on him. What can I say, I’m a true fangirl or Cumberbitch as we call ourselves 😉Susan Mac Nicol recently posted…My latest release, ‘Worth Keeping’ is out 23rd December

Just a quick one to clarify something – Double Alchemy is only available as an e-book, NOT as an audio-book, paperback or hardback yet. It may become available in paperback later but unfortunately, not right now. 😉Susan Mac Nicol recently posted…My latest release, ‘Worth Keeping’ is out 23rd December

I really need to make an effort to read more M/M romance; I’ve only ever checked-out one book in this genre, but many of my blogger friends are hooked on it. And now, seeing Mac Nicol list one as her fav… Great G&A ladies!Carmel @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Audiobook Review: White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland

Haus Butterfly Crest xD

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The owner(s) of this blog is(are) often offered free copies to provide opinion on books. All such reviews are labeled “RBR” [review by request], i.e. the review has been requested by the author/publisher etc directly or indirectly (through NetGalley, Edelweiss, book tour) and I have been provided with a free review copy, marked as Source: review copy.
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